RF Design Engineer

MBDA; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 58,500 - 71,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus up to £2,500

Pension contribution up to 14%

Paid overtime opportunities

Flexi leave up to 15 additional days

Enhanced parental leave up to 26 weeks

Facilities: subsidised meals, free parking

Job summary

A leading defence organization is seeking an RF Designer to work on cutting-edge technology for complex weapon systems. The role involves designing and testing RF circuits in challenging environments, utilizing various RF test equipment, and collaborating on designs. Candidates should possess soldering skills, RF design experience, and strong communication abilities. The position offers a hybrid working model and a competitive salary with performance-based bonuses.

Qualifications

• Proven practical RF component-level design & testing experience.
• Experience in harsh-environment RF design.
• Strong practical soldering and fault-finding skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, test and validate RF circuits across 30 MHz-30 GHz.
• Perform design proving tests in the onsite laboratory.
• Integrate digital, analogue, power supply design with RF.

Skills

RF component-level design & testing

Soldering and fault-finding skills

Experience with RF test equipment

Digital, analogue, power supply design knowledge

Communication and report writing skills

Tools

Microwave Office

Spectrum analyser

Power meter

VNA

Job description

Title: RF Designer

Salary: Circa £65,000 depending on experience

Location: Stevenage (relocation package may be offered)

Working arrangement: Hybrid: 3-4 days on-site, rest remote, full-time or part-time flexible

Security clearance: British Citizen or dual UK national with British citizenship, BPSS checks required

What we can offer you

• Company bonus up to £2,500 (performance based)
• Pension: up to 14% employer + employee contribution
• Paid overtime opportunities
• Flexi leave: up to 15 additional days
• Flexible working arrangements welcomed
• Enhanced parental leave: up to 26 weeks maternity, adoption, shared. Enhancements for paternity, neonatal, fertility etc
• Facilities: subsidised meals, free parking, etc.

Overview

We are seeking an RF Design Engineer with proven practical design experience for cutting‑edge defence products. The role focuses on research, design, testing of RF technology for complex weapons systems, including rapid prototyping and modifications.

Responsibilities

As an RF Design Engineer you will:

• Design, test and validate RF circuits across 30 MHz‑30 GHz (LNA, HPA, filters, oscillators, modulators)
• Design for harsh environments (EMC, vibration, thermal)
• Perform design proving tests in the onsite laboratory
• Use RF test equipment (Spectrum analyser, Power meter, VNA) and maintain soldering/repair skills
• Integrate digital, analogue, power supply design with RF
• Utilise RF design tools (Microwave Office, Layout) and collaborate on manufacturing design
• Write clear reports, present findings to team and customers

Qualifications

• Proven practical RF component‑level design & testing experience
• Experience in harsh‑environment RF design
• Strong practical soldering and fault‑finding skills
• Hands‑on test equipment: Spectrum analyser, VNA, Power meter
• Good digital, analogue, power supply design knowledge
• Experience with RF design tools (Microwave Office) and layout
• Manufacturing techniques awareness (design for manufacture & test)
• Excellent communication, presentation and report writing skills

Company

MBDA is a leading defence organisation committed to supporting the Armed Forces. We value gender equality, pride, ethnic diversity, neurodiversity, disability inclusion and more. We encourage open dialogue throughout the recruitment process.

Follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and Glassdoor or visit the MBDA Careers website for more information.